Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) recently selected a methane slip reduction initiative for next-generation ship development.
In fact, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (YPT) are working together on a project aimed at addressing methane slip from LNG-fuelled vessels.
Named as “Development of Methane Slip Reduction Technology from LNG Fueled Vessels by Improving Catalysts and Engines”, the initiative goals to achieve a methane slip reduction rate of more than 70% for LNG-fuelled vessels over a six-year period from 2021 to 2026.
According to the Japanese trio, the reduction will be achieved by combining methane oxidation catalysts and engine improvements thereby further reducing the environmental impact of LNG-fuelled vessels.
As explained, the work will be supported by the Green Innovation Fund, an initiative established by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
In recent years, environmental awareness, including responses to climate change, has been increasing worldwide. Against this backdrop, the shipping industry is also working on various technological and business developments to realize a low-carbon society. One of these efforts is the introduction in various parts of the world of LNG-fueled ships, which have a low environmental impact.
…partners said in a press release.
From its side, YPT will also commission Namura Shipbuilding, together with Hitachi Zosen and MOL to establish the technology to install the system developed in this research on actual ships.
The system will be installed onboard a coal carrier built at Namura Shipbuilding in Japan and operated by MOL for demonstration of the methane slip reduction technology.
The partners will work to establish the technology as soon as possible with a view to utilizing carbon-recycled methane in future applications, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 towards realizing a carbon-neutral society.
